Explanation

“It’ll take time for the personnel department to make their way here. Igarashi, ya’ teach Ritsu a bit about the sanctuary.”
Ryugen, who arrived at the meeting room of the personnel department, left the room after leaving things to Igarashi.

“In that case, let’s chat while the downstairs guys make their way here.”
Igarashi changed his tone to a soft one, as he talked to Ritsu.
“Yes, I’ll be relying on you.”

“Let’s see, where to begin… That’s right, let’s start with the four great schools. There are four main martial arts schools that possess great power, called the four great schools of the sanctuary. Our Yozakura style is one of them, and the western side falls under our sphere of influence.
Other than that, there is Shinonome style in the east, Shinten style in the south, and Reibai style in the north, each forming their own sphere of influence in their respective regions. In the middle lies the Central House, which is like a giant administrative organization like those in our previous world.

Each school has its own major industries. For example in our case, it’s healthcare, blacksmithing, barrier-making etc. Our major industry would have to be healthcare though. Also… Yozakura school is on slightly bad terms with the Shinonome school, while the Shinten school is on slightly bad terms with the Reibai school. Schools that are on bad terms, are located on opposite ends geographically. Finally, all the four major schools and the Central House tend to dislike one another.

On the other hand, Yozakura and Reibai, as well as Shinonome and Shinten, have a good relationship with their respective partners. The Reibai school almost exclusively takes women disciples, which means they require specially made swords; since manufacturing such swords requires expert blacksmiths, they rely on us to provide that. By the way, the main industries of Reibai are clothing, ornaments, alchemy and a few others. The production of wheat and livestock is done in places where sense of belonging to schools is weak. I’ve gone on for rather long, but have you kept up?”

After saying everything at once, Igarashi looks towards Ritsu in order to confirm.

“I see. What about the number of people under each school?”
Ritsu questioned Igarashi while tilting his head.

“The one with the highest affiliations, would have to be the Central House. After that the order is believed to be Shinonome, Yozakura, Shinten, and Reibai. The exact numbers under each of the major houses have never been tallied before, so it is only hypothetical in the end.
In areas just outside the sphere of influence between the center and the edges of the sanctuary, people of different schools may hone their skills in the same dojo. That’s what it means to have a low sense of belonging.
In those places, your style is decided on the basis of your physique. Women, who have lesser strength, go to Reibai. Those who are well-built, go to Shinten. The others either scatter, or end up joining minor schools.
Lastly, it is considered common sense to enter one school or the other. Dungeons dot the entire landscape here, so it’s considered common sense for people to carry weapons in order to defend themselves. Or rather it has become like that.”
Igarashi looked up at the ceiling as if reminiscing over something.

“Why do you use swords, instead of firearms?”
Ritsu finally asked what was bothering him ever since he came here.

“Good point… firearms are quite effective against those under level 15, but over 15 it’s “nothing unavoidable”, and over 25 it’s “hardly a parley”.
Creating firearms requires precious metal and advanced techniques, has poor cost performance, and is not effective against monsters because it is difficult to store magical power in ammunition. In that case, no one would try to produce it.
I’ve heard of officials at the center carrying them, but they’re closer to a hobby than anything, is what I think… I also have my gun from my police days, but I’ve rarely used it.”
Igarashi seemed quite pleased with the “hardly a parley” line, so Ritsu simply laughed as he was troubled for a reaction.

“That reminds me, what’s the situation with levels inside the sanctuary?”

“Levels, let’s see. The average should be around 20, while people like me and the Oushuu should be at 150. It’s likely that the Oushuu and I belong to the highest class. Those who don’t visit dungeons stay at around level 5, and even those affiliated with schools level out at 50. At level 80, you’re considered an executive of your school.
From 100, you can begin feeling the delay in your expiration. Even at level 70, you rarely get sick. Due to side-effects like these, your lifespan starts extending even before reaching level 100. Maybe it’s more accurate to say, your healthy lifespan.

Once you reach 200, it’s fair to say you are entirely rid of your lifespan. This is information from the spirit tree, but due to the extension of lifespans, the power-gap between Ouseis or a part of Ouchous, and other members keeps increasing.
Those who exceed level 65 will gradually extend their healthy life expectancy, and those who cannot overcome this wall will end their lives as they are. In other words, the polarization of ability is gradually becoming noticeable.
That’s why it’s increasingly unlikely that someone unworthy becomes an executive. That’s basically the situation, though there are other power struggles.”
Igarashi explained with a frown.

“I learnt a lot. Thank you very much, we’re about to begin it seems.”
Ritsu noticed Ryugen entering the room with everyone present, so he stopped the conversation there.

---

Hate map (arrows signify hate relation):

                                        ー North ー

                                             Reibai

                                             ↑ ↑

     |                                        ↓ ↓                                    |
West    Yozakura ⇔ Central House ⇔ Shinonome East
   |                                        ↑ ↑                                    |

                                           ↓ ↓

                                        Shinten

                                    ー South ー

---

                                    ー North ー

                                        Reibai

    |                                        Hate                                        |
West    Yozakura                    ⇔                Shinonome    East
    |                                                                                    |

                                          Shinten

                                        ー South ー

---

                                        ー North ー

                                        Reibai

    |                                        ↑ ↑                                        |
West    Yozakura                Hate              Shinonome    East
    |                                        ↓ ↓                                        |

                                        Shinten

                                        ー South ー

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These charts took more effort to make than I’m willing to admit.